The London Underground and other Transport for London services are set to ban most e-bikes due to safety concerns over battery ignition. Only folding e-bikes, deemed to carry a lower safety risk, will be allowed on the London Underground, Overground, Elizabeth Line, and DLR trains starting from 31 March.
Transport for London (TfL) implemented the ban to ensure the safety of customers and staff following multiple fires and union threats to strike. In November, an e-bike explosion on a London Underground platform at Rayners Lane alarmed the train drivers’ union Aslef, which argued that the incident had the potential to cause mass casualties.
As part of the comprehensive safety review, TfL has been working closely with the London Fire Brigade to assess the risks associated with e-bikes. Despite most e-bikes being safe, there have been a few incidents involving fires on their network.
TfL considers bicycles that have been converted to e-bikes using conversion kits to pose a higher fire risk than purpose-built e-bikes. The inability to differentiate between different e-bike models has led TfL to impose a general ban until improved safety measures are put in place.
Non-folding bicycles are already banned on buses and trams, and e-scooters are also prohibited across TfL due to fire risks. Exceptions to the e-bike ban will be made for the Silvertown tunnel cycle shuttle service, the Woolwich Ferry, and other river boats.
TfL recognizes the significance of e-bikes and micromobility in London and will continue to review the rules. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, emphasized the importance of Londoners’ safety and highlighted the small number of incidents causing concern.
Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health, and environment officer, stated that the ban will contribute to the overall safety of the transport system and expressed TfL’s commitment to improving e-bike safety in collaboration with partners in government.
Aslef, the union that had called for action, expressed support for the announcement, favoring a full ban but acknowledging the relative safety and less obstructive nature of foldable bikes in emergencies.
There have been no updates on the removal of book exchanges on the London Underground as a perceived fire risk, which Khan described as “ridiculous” and vowed to overturn.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/26/tfl-to-issue-ban-on-e-bikes-after-concerns-over-igniting-batteries
